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The Pastoral Epistles 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus

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The Pastoral Epistles 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus The Pastoral Epistles 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus Setting the Stage - What are they? Who wrote them? When were they written? -- The Apostle Paul’s 2 letters to Timothy and his letter to Titus -- Written to two young pastors involved in leadership of their respective churches in Ephesus and Crete -- “Instruction Manual” for pastoral care of their churches -- All three books written sometime after the events recorded in Acts --- Acts ends with Paul imprisoned in a “rental house” in Rome --- Released, went on 4 th Missionary Journey --- Timothy and Titus accompanied him --- Paul commissioned them during this journey, Timothy to church at Ephesus, Titus to church on Crete Setting the Stage - Who was Timothy? Acts 16: 1-5: “1Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.” 2 Tim 1:5 “5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” 2 Tim 3:15 “15 …and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Setting the Stage - He shared in the evangelization of Macedonia and Achaia (Acts 17:14-15, 18:5) and was with Paul for most of his long preaching ministry @ Ephesus (Acts 19:22) - Scripture clear Paul felt very close to Timothy -- He names Timothy as co-sender of SIX of his letters (2 Cor, Phil, Col, 1 & 2 Thes, Philemon -- He speaks highly of him in Phil 2: 19-22 “19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel” - “Apostolic Representative” - QUESTIONS/THOUGHTS? Guard the Teaching and Proper Use of the Law (1 Timothy 1: 1-11) - 1 Tim: 1-2 “1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” - What is an apostle? -- One specifically commissioned by Christ; Jesus’ authorized agent or representative - How many/who were the “Apostles?” 1. The 12 2. A bit larger group including Barnabas (Acts 14:14), James the brother of Jesus (Gal 1:19) and Paul. - Why announce this? Acts 20: 29 - 31 “29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. 31 So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.” Guard the Teaching and Proper Use of the Law (1 Timothy 1: 1-11) - Verse 2 – Love and support (“true son in the faith) - “Grace, mercy and peace…” Why mercy? -- Mercy = God’s grace and help in difficult situations/circumstances – that’s EXACTLY what Timothy needed! - In vs 3 – 11, Paul tells Timothy exactly what his work in Ephesus will be. Two specific things: 1. Stop the false teaching that was going on (vs 3 – 7) 2. Make clear how to use the law in Christian life (vs 8 – 11) Challenge False Teachers (vs 3 -7) “3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” Guard the Teaching and Proper Use of the Law (1 Timothy 1: 1-11) - First task: GUARD THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH! (vs 3) -- Doesn’t just say challenge, it says “… command certain men not to teach false doctrines” - Stop making such a big deal out of geneologies (vs 4) - Goal of these commands is LOVE (vs 5) - “Doctrinal wanderers” with wrong motives (vs 6-7) - BOTTOM LINE: Timothy was FIRST to get the elders/leaders in the Ephesian church to stop those who were providing BAD TEACHING – he was to CONFRONT them and STOP them - QUESTIONS/THOUGHTS? Guard the Teaching and Proper Use of the Law (1 Timothy 1: 1-11) - Second task: Proper use of the Law in Christian life (vs 8 – 11) “8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.” - The Law is GOOD because GOD gave it! (vs 8) - Not made for the righteous (vs 9a) - If not the righteous, then who? (vs 9b – 10) Two groups: 1. The “Unregenerate” -- Lawbreakers and rebels, ungodly & sinful, unholy and irreligious 2. The “Doers of Evil Deeds” – murderers of parents, adulterers/perverts, slave traders, liars, perjurers,… Role Model for a Leader (1 Timothy 1:12-17) - Young leaders, old leaders, leaders of every ilk need a role model, someone to watch as an example of “right behavior.” - Paul holds up his own experiences a lesson to his protégé 1 Tim 1: 12 “12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” - Reassurance – “God’s divinely strengthened me from the beginning” -- QUESTION: How many events in Paul’s life where he was attacked? How could he have survived w/out God’s strengthening? - Yes, even me… 1 Tim 1: 12b – 13a “…appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man…” Role Model for a Leader (1 Timothy 1:12-17) - Greatest comfort of all to Timothy—Paul was shown mercy (as Timothy has been) (vs 13b - 14) “…I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” - “Here is a trustworthy saying…” (vs 15) ”15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” - The second reason Paul was given mercy (as was Timothy) is in verse 16 “16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” - Overwhelmed by God’s majesty and grace…(verse 17) QUESTIONS/THOUGHTS? Fight the Good Fight (1 Timothy 1:18-20) 1 Tim 1: 18-20 “18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, 19 holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.” - Timothy’s the right man for the job (vs 18) - How to fight the good fight? FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE (vs 19-20) QUESTIONS/THOUGHTS Instructions on Worship (1 Timothy 2:1-15) - After urging Timothy to “fight the good fight” in Chapter 1, Paul now offers some very specific guidelines on what, exactly, he’s supposed to do in Ephesus - In essence, Paul hands out Timothy’s second assignment – to set in order PUBLIC WORSHIP 1 Tim 2: 1-7 “1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and Quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
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